Turkish Invasions of the Kakatiya Kingdom
1303 – 1323 AD | From Upparapalli to the Fall of Warangal
Four Major Campaigns | Khalji and Tughlaq Sultans | The End of the Kakatiya Dynasty
Between 1303 and 1323, the Delhi Sultanate launched four major invasions against the Kakatiya kingdom of Telangana. The first invasion (1303) ended in a spectacular Kakatiya victory at the Battle of Upparapalli, where the Turkish army was routed. The second (1309–1310) forced Prataparudra to surrender immense wealth and become a tributary. The third (1318) saw Prataparudra pay tribute to avert conflict. The fourth and final campaign (1323), under the Tughlaq prince Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughluq), initially ended in defeat due to a false rumour spread by an astrologer named Ubaid, but a second attempt later that year captured Warangal and ended the Kakatiya dynasty. This article details all four campaigns based on contemporary and near‑contemporary sources: Ziauddin Barani, Amir Khusrau, Ibn Battuta, Isami, and the Telugu chronicle Velugotivarivamsavali.
I. The First Turkish Invasion (1303) – Battle of Upparapalli
The first Turkish invasion of the Kakatiya kingdom took place in 1303. The Turkish army was commanded by Malik Fekhruddin Juna and Jhaju of Kara. The Turks chose to attack the Kakatiyas via Kalinga, advancing southwest from Bengal. However, unlike what happened in Maharashtra in 1295, the Turks were met and defeated by a Kakatiya army at the Battle of Upparapalli. The Kakatiya army during this engagement was commanded by the Recherla generals Recherla Venna and Potuganti Maili. The Telugu chronicle Velugotivarivamsavali credits the two generals with "destroying the pride of the Turushkas (Turks)." This Kakatiya victory is also corroborated by Ziauddin Barani, who describes the return of the defeated Turkish army to Delhi.
Significance: The 1303 invasion was a complete failure for the Delhi Sultanate. The Kakatiyas demonstrated their military capability and successfully defended their kingdom.
Significance: The 1303 invasion was a complete failure for the Delhi Sultanate. The Kakatiyas demonstrated their military capability and successfully defended their kingdom.
II. The Second Invasion (1309–1310) – Malik Kafur’s Siege
The next recorded Turkish invasion took place in 1309, when Alauddin Khalji sent a large army commanded by Malik Kafur and Khwaja Haji to Telangana. This new Turkish army attacked the Kakatiyas via Maharashtra, using Devagiri as a base of operations, and utilized Maratha soldiers provided by the Yadava king Ramachandra. The Turks reached Warangal on 19 January 1310 and promptly laid siege to the outer fort. After 25 days, Prataparudra sued for peace, sensing that he lacked the means to successfully defend the fort. He handed over his wealth to the Turks and agreed to send additional tribute in the future.
Outcome: The Kakatiyas became tributaries of the Delhi Sultanate but retained their kingdom. The immense booty included elephants, horses, gold, silver, and jewels.
Outcome: The Kakatiyas became tributaries of the Delhi Sultanate but retained their kingdom. The immense booty included elephants, horses, gold, silver, and jewels.
III. Aftermath: Southern Campaigns and the 1318 Tribute
The political disturbance caused by the Turkish invasion resulted in a fresh wave of revolts against the Kakatiyas in southern Andhra. Ranganatha of Nellore, as well as the Vaidumba chief Mallideva of Gandikota, both declared independence. To suppress their rebellions, Prataparudra dispatched an army under Juttaya Gonkaya Reddi. The Kakatiya army defeated Mallideva and recaptured Gandikota, with Gonkaya Reddi appointed as the new governor of Gandikota and surrounding territory. King Prataparudra himself marched south to crush Ranganatha's rebellion.
At this time, the Tamil country was in chaos due to a civil war between the brothers Vira Pandya and Sundara Pandya. This situation was worsened by the invasion of the Hoysala king Ballala III, who captured Kanchi. However, the Hoysalas could not hold the city for long. The Kakatiyas decided to intervene in Tamil Nadu, and an army commanded by Peda Rudra managed to defeat Ballala and occupy Kanchi. Vira Pandya attempted to recapture Kanchi, but he was met by a large Kakatiya army personally commanded by King Prataparudra. Vira Pandya was decisively defeated and consequently lost the Pandya throne to his brother. The northern part of the Pandya kingdom, including the lands between the Penner and Palar rivers, came under Kakatiya control.
It seems that Prataparudra, during the course of these wars in the south, practically ignored the Delhi Sultanate and his promise to send regular tribute. In 1318, the new Sultan of Delhi, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, marched to Maharashtra to crush the rebellion of Harapaladeva (a vassal of the Turks). After securing Devagiri, the Sultan sent an army under Khusrau Khan to Warangal. To avert conflict, Prataparudra agreed to pay the annual tribute of 100 elephants and a quantity of horses, gold, and gems.
At this time, the Tamil country was in chaos due to a civil war between the brothers Vira Pandya and Sundara Pandya. This situation was worsened by the invasion of the Hoysala king Ballala III, who captured Kanchi. However, the Hoysalas could not hold the city for long. The Kakatiyas decided to intervene in Tamil Nadu, and an army commanded by Peda Rudra managed to defeat Ballala and occupy Kanchi. Vira Pandya attempted to recapture Kanchi, but he was met by a large Kakatiya army personally commanded by King Prataparudra. Vira Pandya was decisively defeated and consequently lost the Pandya throne to his brother. The northern part of the Pandya kingdom, including the lands between the Penner and Palar rivers, came under Kakatiya control.
It seems that Prataparudra, during the course of these wars in the south, practically ignored the Delhi Sultanate and his promise to send regular tribute. In 1318, the new Sultan of Delhi, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, marched to Maharashtra to crush the rebellion of Harapaladeva (a vassal of the Turks). After securing Devagiri, the Sultan sent an army under Khusrau Khan to Warangal. To avert conflict, Prataparudra agreed to pay the annual tribute of 100 elephants and a quantity of horses, gold, and gems.
IV. The Final Invasion (1323) – Ulugh Khan’s Two Attempts and the Fall of Warangal
The next appearance of the Turks in Telangana was in 1323. Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq sent an army to Telangana under his son Ulugh Khan (the future Muhammad bin Tughluq). According to Ferishta, writing in the 17th century, the reason for this invasion was once again Prataparudra's refusal to pay tribute.
First Attempt – Defeat due to a false rumour:
Ulugh Khan besieged Warangal for six long months, but he was unable to capture the city. The Turkish forces withdrew in defeat, with the Kakatiyas pursuing them until they had left Telangana. Different individuals writing in the 14th century give slightly different reasons for the Turkish defeat during this campaign:
- Ziauddin Barani: A false rumour was spread in the Turkish camp by a poet named Ubaid that Sultan Ghiyasuddin had died, and that the new sultan was going to execute some generals. Morale plummeted, confusion spread, and the Kakatiyas took advantage to attack and rout the Turks.
- Ibn Battuta: Ulugh Khan desired the throne for himself and instigated Ubaid to spread the false rumour, hoping the army would recognise him as sultan. Instead, the commanders turned against him, and the camp fell into chaos.
- Isami (most credible, writing in 1349, only 26 years after the event): Ulugh Khan had consulted an astrologer named Ubaid to determine the most auspicious day to attack. He attacked on that day but made no progress. Ubaid, to save himself from punishment, spread the false rumour that the Sultan had died and that Ulugh Khan was planning to kill leading amirs. The resulting panic allowed the Kakatiyas to defeat the Turks and drive them out of Telangana.
All three versions agree that confusion caused by a false rumour spread by a person named Ubaid led to the Turkish defeat, and that the Kakatiyas took advantage of the situation.
Second Attempt – The Final Conquest:
Following their failed attempt to capture Warangal, the Turks withdrew into Maharashtra and took refuge at Devagiri. Sultan Ghiyasuddin, determined to defeat the Kakatiyas, immediately dispatched fresh troops into the Deccan. Wasting no time, Ulugh Khan set out for Telangana once again as soon as he received reinforcements. The Turks captured Badrikot (probably Bidar), and then Bodhan after a siege of 3–4 days. Ten days later, Ulugh Khan was once again at the gates of Warangal.
The speed with which the Turks returned took the Kakatiyas completely by surprise. King Prataparudra, assuming that the Turks would not return in the near future, had committed a fatal strategic blunder: in celebration of the Kakatiya victory, he had opened the fort's food stores to the public, sold all the grain in the granaries, and dismissed his assembled troops. Thus, when the Turks returned later that year, the fortress at Warangal lacked adequate provisions and an adequate garrison. Nonetheless, the Kakatiyas still managed to hold out for an astounding five months before hunger and lack of basic supplies began wearing them down. Recognizing the futility of the situation, Prataparudra surrendered himself to Ulugh Khan, and the Turks occupied Warangal. Prataparudra was sent north to the Sultan's court in Delhi, but he died on the banks of the Narmada river; in all likelihood, he committed suicide. The Kakatiya dynasty thus came to an end.
Aftermath: Warangal was renamed Sultanpur and became a Tughlaq province. The Kakatiya treasury, including legendary diamonds, was carried off to Delhi. The Tughlaq conquest was short‑lived (1323–1336), but it permanently ended Kakatiya sovereignty.
First Attempt – Defeat due to a false rumour:
Ulugh Khan besieged Warangal for six long months, but he was unable to capture the city. The Turkish forces withdrew in defeat, with the Kakatiyas pursuing them until they had left Telangana. Different individuals writing in the 14th century give slightly different reasons for the Turkish defeat during this campaign:
- Ziauddin Barani: A false rumour was spread in the Turkish camp by a poet named Ubaid that Sultan Ghiyasuddin had died, and that the new sultan was going to execute some generals. Morale plummeted, confusion spread, and the Kakatiyas took advantage to attack and rout the Turks.
- Ibn Battuta: Ulugh Khan desired the throne for himself and instigated Ubaid to spread the false rumour, hoping the army would recognise him as sultan. Instead, the commanders turned against him, and the camp fell into chaos.
- Isami (most credible, writing in 1349, only 26 years after the event): Ulugh Khan had consulted an astrologer named Ubaid to determine the most auspicious day to attack. He attacked on that day but made no progress. Ubaid, to save himself from punishment, spread the false rumour that the Sultan had died and that Ulugh Khan was planning to kill leading amirs. The resulting panic allowed the Kakatiyas to defeat the Turks and drive them out of Telangana.
All three versions agree that confusion caused by a false rumour spread by a person named Ubaid led to the Turkish defeat, and that the Kakatiyas took advantage of the situation.
Second Attempt – The Final Conquest:
Following their failed attempt to capture Warangal, the Turks withdrew into Maharashtra and took refuge at Devagiri. Sultan Ghiyasuddin, determined to defeat the Kakatiyas, immediately dispatched fresh troops into the Deccan. Wasting no time, Ulugh Khan set out for Telangana once again as soon as he received reinforcements. The Turks captured Badrikot (probably Bidar), and then Bodhan after a siege of 3–4 days. Ten days later, Ulugh Khan was once again at the gates of Warangal.
The speed with which the Turks returned took the Kakatiyas completely by surprise. King Prataparudra, assuming that the Turks would not return in the near future, had committed a fatal strategic blunder: in celebration of the Kakatiya victory, he had opened the fort's food stores to the public, sold all the grain in the granaries, and dismissed his assembled troops. Thus, when the Turks returned later that year, the fortress at Warangal lacked adequate provisions and an adequate garrison. Nonetheless, the Kakatiyas still managed to hold out for an astounding five months before hunger and lack of basic supplies began wearing them down. Recognizing the futility of the situation, Prataparudra surrendered himself to Ulugh Khan, and the Turks occupied Warangal. Prataparudra was sent north to the Sultan's court in Delhi, but he died on the banks of the Narmada river; in all likelihood, he committed suicide. The Kakatiya dynasty thus came to an end.
Aftermath: Warangal was renamed Sultanpur and became a Tughlaq province. The Kakatiya treasury, including legendary diamonds, was carried off to Delhi. The Tughlaq conquest was short‑lived (1323–1336), but it permanently ended Kakatiya sovereignty.
Key Figures in the Four Invasions
Prataparudra (Prataparudra II) – The last great Kakatiya king. He defeated the Turks in 1303, surrendered tribute in 1310 and 1318, and was finally defeated and captured in 1323. Died on the banks of the Narmada.
Malik Fekhruddin Juna & Jhaju of Kara – Leaders of the first invasion (1303), defeated at Upparapalli by Recherla Venna and Potuganti Maili.
Recherla Venna & Potuganti Maili – Velama generals who commanded the Kakatiya army at the Battle of Upparapalli (1303) and destroyed the pride of the Turushkas.
Malik Kafur – Alauddin Khalji’s general who besieged Warangal in 1310, extracting immense tribute.
Khusrau Khan – Led the 1318 expedition that forced Prataparudra to pay annual tribute.
Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) – Tughlaq prince who led the final invasion in 1323. His first attempt failed due to the false rumour spread by Ubaid; his second succeeded after Prataparudra’s strategic blunder.
Ubaid – A poet/astrologer who spread the false rumour that caused the Turkish camp to panic, leading to their first defeat in 1323.
Detailed Chronology (1303–1323)
- 1303 AD: First Turkish invasion. Battle of Upparapalli – Kakatiya generals Recherla Venna and Potuganti Maili defeat the Turkish army commanded by Malik Fekhruddin Juna and Jhaju of Kara. The Turks retreat to Delhi in defeat.
- 1309–1310 AD: Second invasion. Malik Kafur and Khwaja Haji lead a large army via Devagiri. Reach Warangal on 19 January 1310. After a 25‑day siege, Prataparudra surrenders immense wealth and agrees to pay annual tribute.
- c. 1310–1318 AD: Southern campaigns. Prataparudra suppresses rebellions in Nellore and Gandikota, intervenes in the Pandya civil war, defeats Hoysala Ballala III, and occupies Kanchi. The Kakatiya kingdom expands into Tamil Nadu.
- 1318 AD: Third invasion. Sultan Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah sends Khusrau Khan to Warangal. Prataparudra pays tribute (100 elephants, horses, gold, gems) to avert conflict.
- 1323 AD (first attempt): Ulugh Khan besieges Warangal for six months. A false rumour spread by Ubaid causes panic in the Turkish camp. The Kakatiyas attack and rout the Turks, who retreat to Devagiri.
- 1323 AD (second attempt): Ulugh Khan receives reinforcements, captures Badrikot (Bidar) and Bodhan, and returns to Warangal. Prataparudra, having celebrated prematurely, dismissed his troops and sold grain. After a five‑month siege, Prataparudra surrenders. He dies on the banks of the Narmada en route to Delhi. The Kakatiya dynasty ends. Warangal is renamed Sultanpur.
Sources & Further Reading
- Ziauddin Barani – Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi
- Amir Khusrau – Khazain-ul-Futuh
- Ibn Battuta – Travels
- Isami – Futuh-us-Salatin (written 1349, most credible account of the 1323 campaign)
- Ferishta – Tarikh-i-Ferishta (17th century)
- Velugotivarivamsavali – Telugu chronicle, records the 1303 victory at Upparapalli
- K. S. Lal, History of the Khaljis (1290–1320)
- Peter Jackson, The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History
The four Turkish invasions of the Kakatiya kingdom spanned two decades and three Sultans. The Kakatiyas won the first battle (Upparapalli, 1303) and held their own for twenty years. But the combination of relentless pressure, a strategic blunder after the 1323 first victory, and the speed of the Tughlaq return finally broke the dynasty. The fall of Warangal in 1323 marked the end of one of India’s most resplendent Hindu kingdoms and opened the Deccan to two centuries of Sultanate rule.
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